"So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend? And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be! But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. You will have to put yourself under discipline; to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or no, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician." ~ Epictetus

Several weeks ago our center had its annual picnic and softball game with a neighboring church. Between the 100degree temperature and the spirited athletic endeavors, the day offered ample opportunity for exercise and to test the limits of one's body. I was reminded of my body's limits that day.

The only time I ever play these sports is at this annual event, and in addition, the night before, my wife and I had taken our grandkids bowling, something I haven't done in 30 years. By Tuesday morning my body was announcing to my mind the bad news: I hurt from stem to stern and everywhere in between.

And the worst part is I do the same thing every year, hoping somehow I won't have to smell like Ben-Gay for two weeks following. What's wrong with this picture?

Obviously, I am asking my body to do things it has not been conditioned to do, and it's informing me that it doesn't like me doing that.

The message is simple: "If you want to play like a jock on the weekend, you have some work to do during the week."

Like everyone else, as I have physically "matured," keeping my body in shape has become more difficult. It requires more time and effort than it did when I was 18, and therefore, not surprisingly, it has become less of a priority.

As a matter of fact, in the past few years whenever I have felt a sudden urge to exercise I have found that if I just lie down the feeling soon passes. It's amazing, isn't it? We can always find ways to avoid doing what we don't really want to do, even when we know it's for our own good.

What I have discovered for myself is that this truth extends far beyond my physical well-being-it's also true of my spiritual well-being.

The fact is there is little difference between maintaining a fit physical body and maintaining a fit spiritual body.

As Epictetus points out, "You will have to put yourself under discipline and take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or not." However, when that means doing our spiritual practices at 5:30 a.m., the temptation to just "lie down" is sometimes hard to resist.

The old adage "Use it or lose it" comes to mind here. What we use grows stronger; what we ignore becomes weaker and begins to diminish until finally it has no energy to sustain itself.

Regardless of whether we are talking about our physical or spiritual bodies-use it or lose it seems to be the rule by which we must abide.

So, what say you? Are you using your spiritual body daily? The daily exercises of reading, meditation and prayer are essential to building strong spiritual muscles. Make no mistake about it, those muscles will make a world of difference as you enter into the arena of life to play the game each day.

Take time today to examine what is important to you. If you discover that spirituality plays an important role in building and sustaining a life worth living, ask yourself if you are exercising your spiritual muscles properly and regularly.

The answer will be somewhat obvious: If your practices are "hit and miss," your life will reflect that energy.

If you determine that you need some assistance in building up your spiritual muscles, make a commitment to get to church more regularly. Consider enrolling in classes that will help you develop those spiritual muscles and keep them fit.

In addition, hang out with people who will help you remember that your spiritual well-being is as vital to maintain as your physical body. Practice, practice, practice, and remember: Use it or lose it.

The Rev. Dennis Merritt Jones, DD is founding pastor and spiritual director at the One Spirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. He may be reached at (805) 527-8070 or by visiting the One Spirit website at www.OneSpirit.org.